Innovation expert to head Imperial College Business School

Imperial College London has named internationally renowned innovation scholar Professor Francisco Veloso the new Dean of its Business School.

Professor Veloso joins Imperial from the Católica Lisbon School of Business and Economics, Portugal’s leading business school, where he has served as Dean since 2012. Professor Veloso is a leading authority in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, whose research has focussed on how firms and regions develop and leverage science and technology for economic growth.

His work has included studies into the development of Silicon Valley and into the innovation and scientific impact of developing nations.

His leadership has helped steer the Católica Lisbon School to becoming an institution with international reach - now ranked among the top 25 Business Schools in Europe by The Financial Times. During his time as Dean, international students numbers have been multiplied several fold, while the School’s research presence in top international journals has doubled.

He retains an adjunct appointment at Carnegie Mellon University, USA, where he was tenured Full Professor earlier in his career. As a member of the Board of Directors of the Carnegie Mellon - Portugal Program he oversaw the establishment of a research funding initiative and dual PhD programs between Carnegie Mellon and several Portuguese universities.

At Carnegie Mellon, he also led a university wide interdisciplinary program which equips students to harness technological change to drive innovation and entrepreneurship.

Professor Veloso’s expertise is prized by government and policy makers, acting as an advisor to both the Portuguese Government and to European Commissioner Carlos Moedas on innovation, entrepreneurship and industrial development.

Due to take up his role on 1 August, he succeeds Professor Nelson Phillips, who has been Acting Dean of Imperial College Business School since summer last year when Professor G 'Anand' Anandalingam stepped down from the post.

Imperial’s Provost, Professor James Stirling, said: “Francisco’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation and a global outlook make him the ideal person to head Imperial College Business School through its next stages of aspiration and growth.

“His extraordinary leadership at Católica Lisbon saw the school flourish into an institution that is respected across Europe. His foresight and experience will be invaluable. I look forward to working with him to take the Business School from strength to strength.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to also thank Nelson for his outstanding leadership as Acting Dean this academic year.”

Professor Francisco Veloso said: "I am truly honoured with this appointment and delighted to join such a world class institution. Imperial College Business School has achieved so much in its short history and is uniquely positioned for the future. The growing importance of technology-driven innovation and entrepreneurship across all business areas and fields is creating opportunities that fall squarely into the School and College strengths.

“I very much look forward to working with the community of faculty, alumni, students and staff to propel the Business School to even more greatness."

Born in Lisbon, Professor Veloso completed an undergraduate degree in Physics Engineering, before receiving his PhD in Technology Management and Policy from MIT in 2001. In 2008 he was awarded the Alfred P. Sloan Industry Studies Fellowship for research on innovation in the auto sector.